Effectively 'Kill' Your Enemy

Are you stressed at work? Are you tired after a day’s work? Is your work mediocre? Krishna’s doctrine of action converts mediocrity to excellence, drudgery to revelry, indignation to inspiration. Bhagwad Gita Chapter 3 prescribes the method by which the mind remains serene while the body acts intensely.

Action is a given. The quality of action is determined by the intention, the motive. Perform niyatam karma, obligatory action, the highest quality of action. Reduce kamya karma, desire-driven action, which can take you away from your goal. Keep away from nishiddha karma, actions prohibited by your conscience. As long as you remain focussed on duty the mind is calm, intellect sharp and action brilliant. As desires mount the mind gets agitated and action becomes flawed. When desires outstrip your resources you perform dangerous actions that your conscience revolts against.

Krishna underscores the importance of yajna (sacrifice), actions dedicated to a higher ideal. He says, when the Creator made the human being He gave him the unique capacity of sacrifice and said, “With sacrifice may you prosper.

Let it be the fulfiller of all your desires.” It is impossible to succeed if you do not act in a spirit of service and sacrifice. Yet we are all trying to prosper through selfish pursuits!

He then details three distinct types of people. The lowest, the tamasika helps himself to the benefits endowed by society without repaying; he is a thief. The rajasika acts for selfish ends but the result is stress and mental agitation. He cooks, says Krishna, but eats sin. The sattvikaworks in a spirit of sacrifice for a higher ideal. He enjoys the fruit of sacrifice and evolves to the highest goal of Enlightenment.

Identify your svadharma, inner calling, core interest. In the area of your svadharma fix a goal that is beyond your selfish interests. thought of self is the greatest barrier to excellence. There is perfection in everyone. All you have to do is get yourself out of the way – your ego, desire, selfishness! The higher ideal helps you tap into sources of energy you never thought you had. You get creative. And you are exhilarated at work.